The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-06-18
Select gtorp.
TOLD BY PROF. PEARCE.
From Belgrarid.
CHAPTER |.

lOID II L l6OIs 1ALoSLf
From Belgrdrid.
CHAPTER 1.
One dull day in November of last year
an operation of highly delicate nature was
performed upon negro at st. Thomas
Hospital The operator was Prof. Pearce,
the famous surgeon. Later on a few friends
assembled in his apartment on the second
floor to congratulate him on the successful
results of his skill Our host was detained
in the theatre few minutes, and we be-
guiled the time by discussing the ever-fresh
subject of the progress of medical science.
The conversation then turned on the opera
ton that had just been brought to success
| full termination, and thence to the patient
himself.
All had been struck by the mans repul
sive appearance and the strange resem-
blance he bore to a wolf The unpleasant
topic of the likeness of man to certain ami
mails possessed great fascination for our
young imaginations, and as the day faded
We drew closer and closer together, each
man raking his memory for information on
the unsavory topic. Perhaps the most i'm
portant and the most truthful contribution
to the conversation was given by man
called Eames, who had already earned some
distinction by clever pamphlet on vegeta-
BILE poisons. He related to us description
by an old author of race of strange beings,
who inhabited one of the South Sea Islands,
possibly Fauna Loa. These men bore a
most striking resemblance to dogs. Every
feature was hidden by soft, silky hair, par
ticularly abundant about the region of the
ears. They make their homes in caves and
in the dense underwood of the forest; in
fact, any place which would afford them
shelter from the storm and sufficient space
for ingress and egress on their hands and
knees. Eames was proceeding to give
some account of their language, which
sounded to travellers like succession of
short barks, when, happening to turn round,
/ noticed that Prof. Pearce had entered the
room, and was listening intently to the mar
ration. ------
''There is substratum of truth in many
of these stories" The sound of new
voice striking into our conversation caused
| dead silence, and all turned toward Prof
Pearce.
He continued: II speak strongly, but
perhaps l am the only person present who
can lay claim to some personal experience
in the matter"
Nobody spoke, and the Professor walked
to the window and looked out.
He continued in a strangely hesitating
manner: "It's miserable night, gentle
men, and if you care to waste half an hour
| will tell you story from my own expe-
riencc that touches somewhat upon this
question.
We were all eager to hear the story, par
ticularly as very little was known about the
the Professors life He was an extremely
reticent man, and various stories were ru-
mored about him.
The interest was heightened in the minds
of those who had seen his wife-a slim,
pretty woman, quite ten years younger than
her husband.
Prof Pearce himself was man of poor
physique and singularly nervous organiza-
ton. He was very popular with the stu
dents, and his visits to the children's hos
pital, to which he was senior physician,
were anticipated by the little ones with
unfeigned delight So considerable inter
est was evinced when, on that wet after
noon in November the Professor volun-
teered to narrate to us chapter of his life S
history.
In the year - was assisting my
friend, Mark Melhuish doctor practicing
in the north Of London, and yell-known as
brave worker in the fever fields. A
brilliant career was prophesied for Mark
Melhuish, who had already read several
striking papers before the Royal Medical
College, and also published pamphlet on
the disease which he had made his special
study.
The clock had struck balfpast twelve on
the night when the strange story ! am about
to relate commences, and was languidly
wishing had followed Marks example
and gone to bed a quarter of an hour ago,
when was aroused by violent peal at
the surgery bell The servant had retired
for the night, so proceeded to open the
door myself.
No sooner had | unfastened the latch
than it was burst suddenly open, and a girl
rushed impetuously into the hall and said
hurriedly:
"AIy mother has been taken suddenly ILL.,
She tainted, and l couldn't rouse her, We
are alone in the house, so l was obliged to
run for help myself. Will you come at
once, please 2"
While putting on my oyercoat and gloves
| was able to take note of her. A some
what slight girl, about the middle height
with dark brown eyes and hair Of lighter
shade She did not impress me as being
particularly pretty; but was rather struck
| by certain vigorous grace about her move,
ments She gave the name of Miss Ros-
sitter, and without more ado we left the
house together When we reached the
road in which they lived she said suddenly
.A woman who sometimes helps us lives
close by. She wasn't at home when called
Just now, but I'll run in and see if she has
come back yet. She may be of some use,
That's our cottage" the girl continued,
pointing to a small white house standing
on the brow of hill overlooking one of the
Highgate Ponds. aTake the key, let your
self in, and leave the door on the latch.
I'll be with you in minute"
Giving her commands in this peremptory
manner, and without waiting for any objec-
tions might urge, she darted away and
left me no alternative but to do as she re-
quested.
walked rapidly, and in few minutes
was outside the house.
Opening the little wicket gate, proceed